
Dennard Wilson
Defensive Backs Coach
College: Maryland
Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Experience: 12 years
Biography
DENNARD WILSON enters his 12th year as an NFL coach and ninth leading defensive backs at the pro level. He most recently spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs (2022) and a defensive backs coach (2021). Before serving on the Eagles' staff, Wilson spent four years with the New York Jets (2017-20). Wilson first entered the NFL coaching ranks with the St. Louis Rams (2012-16) following a four-year stint as a pro scout with the Chicago Bears (2008-11). He was also a graduate assistant at the University of Maryland (2007-08) and worked as a defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator at DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) HS (2004-06).
- Has played an important role in the development of several standout NFL DBs, including Jamal Adams, James Bradberry, Marcus Maye and Darius Slay.
- Mentored a group that helped Philadelphia establish the NFL's No. 1 pass defense (179.8 ypg), en route to a Super Bowl LVII appearance in 2022.
- Spent four years with the Jets (2017-20) as the passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach (2019-20) and defensive backs coach (2017-18), guiding S Marcus Maye to a career year in 2020 (single-season best 88 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FFs, 1 FR and 11 PD) and S Jamal Adams to two consecutive Pro Bowls (2018-19).
- Coached at both his Maryland-based high school (DeMatha Catholic) and college (University of Maryland)alma maters.
2021-22: (with Philadelphia) 2022: Mentored a group that helped Philadelphia establish the NFL's No. 1 pass defense (179.8 ypg), en route to a Super Bowl LVII appearance in 2022...The Eagles also permitted the NFL's third-best opponent passer rating (81.6) and posted the league's fourth-most takeaways (27 – 17 INTs & 10 FRs)...The Eagles' Wilson-led secondary included CB James Bradberry and Pro Bowler CB Darius Slay, who finished as the NFL's only CB tandem to each produce at least 14 PD and 3 INTs in 2022...Bradberry, a second-team All-Pro, posted the NFL's third-lowest passer rating allowed (55.9) and third-most PD (17) among players targeted at least 50 times. 2021: Led a secondary that was highlighted by CB Darius Slay, who was named to the Pro Bowl after pacing the team with 9 PD, 5 takeaways (3 INTs & 2 FRs) and an NFL-best 3 defensive TDs...CB Avonte Maddox finished as the only NFL CB with at least 5 TFL and multiple FFs (2)...Philadelphia tied NE for the NFL's second-fewest completions of 20-plus yards allowed.
2017-20: (with New York Jets) 2020: Guided S Marcus Maye to a career year that saw him record single-season highs in all major defensive categories, including tackles (88 – 52 solo), TFL (4), sacks (2), INTs (2), FFs (2) FRs (1) and PD (11). 2019: Guided the Jets' seventh-ranked pass defense (323.1 ypg), while overseeing the development of first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl S Jamal Adams, who was voted Curtis Martin Team MVP by his teammates for the second-straight year...Adams led all NFL DBs with a then-career-high 6.5 sacks. 2018: Tutored a DBs room that helped the Jets' defense rank No. 8 in opponent completion percentage (63.1%) and No. 6 in opponent third-down conversion percentage on pass attempts (31.6%)...Coached Adams to his first-career Pro Bowl nod, following a season in which he posted a career-best 115 tackles (86 solo), which ranked No. 3 among DBs...Adams also registered 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FFs (career high), 1 FR and 12 PD (career high). 2017: Helped integrate the Jets' first- and second-round picks, Adams and Maye, who became the first pair of rookie safeties in league history to start all 16 games...Adams earned PFWA All-Rookie honors...The Jets' 59.0% opponent completion percentage ranked eighth.
2012-16: (with Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams) 2016: Mentored a group of DBs that help LA post the No. 9 overall defense (337.0 ypg) and No. 9 third-down defense (37.3%). 2015: Led a DBs unit that helped the Rams' defense rank No. 6 in third-down conversion percentage (34.7%), No. 3 in fourth-down conversion percentage (26.7%), No. 2 in red zone efficiency (41.7%) and No. 3 in goal-to-go efficiency (52.4%). 2014: Served in a defensive quality control position for a team that permitted the fourth-fewest first downs per game (18.8) and zero fourth-down conversions (on 10 tries), while ranking No. 4 in red zone efficiency (46.2%). 2013: Assisted on a defense that permitted the third-fewest yards-per-carry average (3.7) and notched the NFL's third-most sacks (53). 2014: Transitioned to pro coaching, helping the Rams' defense record an NFL-high 52 sacks.
2008-11: (with Chicago) Served in a personnel role as a pro scout for the Bears.
2007-08: (with Maryland) Was a graduate assistant at alma mater, the University of Maryland.
2004-06: (with DeMatha Catholic HS) Worked as defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator at alma mater, DeMatha Catholic (MD) HS...DeMatha posted a perfect 12-0 record in 2006, winning the WCAC title.
COLLEGE: Was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at CB and S for the Maryland Terrapins, appearing in 42 games (30 starts) from 2000-03...Totaled 158 career tackles and was an honorable mention All-ACC performer as a senior captain after leading the Terrapins with 12 PD in 2003...Was part of a 2001 ACC Championship squad.
PERSONAL: Signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2004, landing on the team's practice squad before suffering a season-ending injury...Received his degree in communications from Maryland...Prepped at DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) HS, where he'd later accept a coaching position...Wilson and his wife, Taihitia, have a daughter, Riley, and a son, Reece.